Kokorwe appeals to EU powerhouses for diversification
Innocent Selatlhwa | Thursday April 21, 2016 11:58
Speaking at the African Caribbean Pacific-European Union (ACP-EU) regional meeting held in Gaborone yesterday, Kokorwe said while some measure of progress has been made in the partnership’s collective efforts to enhance economic cooperation and regional integration, a lot still needs to be done.
“We need the continued partnership and cooperation of the highly industrialised countries such as member states of the EU to diversify our economies, create wealth and jobs because this is the only way in which we can attain sustainable development,” she said.
Kokorwe said Botswana and the rest of the Southern Africa region experienced extreme high temperatures during the past few months adversely impacting on water resources which in turn has serious adverse implications on agriculture, livestock production, wildlife and tourism and above all, the livelihoods of people. “These are major challenges which demand our collective efforts and responses because they are the result of human activities on this planet which is home to all of us,” she said.
The Speaker said Botswana has made substantial progress in the economic, social and political fields since 1996, ensuring phenomenal growth in the education, health and infrastructure sector amongst others.
She said this was possible because Botswana had friends in Europe and around the world who supported the right of its people to be free and to achieve the national development goals.
For his part, the co-president of ACP-EU Netty Baldeh said Botswana has been for a long time, been one of the best examples of sound economic management on the African continent, and enjoys enviable social indicators in terms of the provision of health and education services, as well as the management of its natural and mineral resources.
He also paid tribute to the Parliament of Botswana for having been a very consistent participant in the ACP-EU joint parliamentary assembly.
“I recall that you hosted the 16th Session of what was then called the Joint Assembly in February 1993. We also had one of your sons David Mogami as Co- President of the Assembly from 1997 to 1999,” he said. Baldeh also mentioned the acting presidency and presidency of Odirile Motlhale in the partnership in 2010.